STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM

1. Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.

A.
Property Electron Proton Neutron
Nature of charge Negative Positive No charge
Magnitude of charge –1 +1 zero
times the mass of Similar to proton
Mass unity (1)
proton massi.e.,
Out of the nucleus of
Location In atomic nucleus In atomic nucleus
an atom
It is denoted as “n0”.
Symbol It is denoted as e– It is denoted as p+

2. What are the limitations of J. J. Thomson’s model of the atom?

A. Thomson’s model of atom could explain the electrical neutrality of the atom but it failed
to explain the results of scattering experiments performed by Rutherford. Consequently,
it was rejected in favour of Rutherford’s model of atom.
3. What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of an atom?
A. The revolution of the electron in a circular orbit is not expected to be stable. Any particle
in a circular orbit would undergo acceleration. During acceleration, charged particles
would radiate energy. Thus, the revolving electron would lose energy and finally fall into
the nucleus. If this were so, the atom should be highly unstable and hence matter would
not exist in the form. But we know that atoms are quite stable.
4. Describe Bohr’s model of the atom.
A. The postulates of Bohr’s model of the atom are:
1) The atom consists of a small (positively charged) nucleus as its centre.
2) The whole mass of the atom is concentrated at the nucleus and the size of
nucleus is 105 times smaller than the size of that atom.
3) All the protons and neutrons of the atom are contained in the nucleus.
4) The electrons of the atom revolve around the nucleus in definite circular paths
known as orbits or shells which are designated as K, L, M, N...... etc. or
numbered as (n) = 1, 2, 3, 4, ..... etc outward from the nucleus.
5) While revolving in discrete orbits the electrons do not radiate energy. These
orbits associated with a fixed amount of energy. There fore, these orbits or
shells are called energy levels. Energy levels in an atom are shown below in
figure.
 N shell (n = 4)
M shell (n = 3)
L shell (n = 2)
K shell (n = 1)
Nucleus

A few energy levels in an atom

5. Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.

Properties Thomson’s Model Ruther ford’s Model Bohr’s Model

Positive An atom consists of a The positive charge is The positive charge in

charge Positively charged concentrated at the the centre of the atom
(Proton) sphere centre charged centre is is called nucleus.
known as atomic
nucleus.
Negative The electrons are The nucleus is For the first time Bohr
charge embedded in the surrounded by a system introduced the
positively charged of electrons and the concept of orbits in
sphere of an atom nucleus are held which electrons could
together by electrostatic move. Each orbit is
force of attraction associated with a
definite amount of
energy.

6. Summarise the rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for
the first eighteen elements.
A. Bohr – Bury principles.
1. Maximum number of electrons in a shell is 2A2
2. Outer most orbit cannot accommodate more than 8e-
3. Penultimate shall cannot have more than 18e-
7. Define valency by taking examples of Silicon and Oxygen.
A. The combining capacity of an element is called its valency. The number of electrons
present in the outermost shell of an atom gives its valency. But if the number of
electrons in the outer most shell of an atom is close to its full capacity, then valency is
equal to = 8 – No.of electrons in the outermost shell

K L M Valence electrons

Silicon has 2 8 4 4

Oxygen has 2 6 - 6
 Valency of Silicon = 4
Valency of oxygen = 8 – 6 = 2
The valency of silicon is 4 and valency of oxygen is 2
8. Explain with examples.
(i) Atomic number (ii) Mass number
(iii) Isotopes and (iv) Isobars.
Give any two uses of isotopes.
A. i) Atomic number: The atomic number is defined as the total number of protons
present in the nucleus of an atom (or) the total number of electrons outside the nucleus
of a neutral atom. It is denoted as “Z”.
Example: Hydrogen Z = 1 i.e., no. of protons = 1 (or) No. of e– = 1
Carbon Z = 6 i.e., no. of protons = 6 (or) No. of e– = 6
ii) Mass number: The mass number is defined as the sum of the total number of protons
and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.
Example: Carbon Mass number = 6 protons + 6 neutrons = 6p + 6n = 12U
Mass number of Aluminium = 13 protons + 14 neutrons = 13p + 14n = 27U
iii) Isotopes: Isotopes are defined as the atoms of the same element, having the same
atomic number but different mass numbers.
Examples: 1) Isotopes of Hydrogen are: Protium 11 H Deuterium 12 H
Tritium 13 H
12 14
2) Isotopes of carbon are: 6 C, 6 C
iv) Isobars: Atoms of different elements with different atomic numbers, which have
the same mass number, are known as isobars.
40 40
Examples: 1) 20 Ca , 18 Ar
14 14
2) 6 C, 7 N

Uses of isotopes:
i) An isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
ii) An isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer
iii) An isotope of iodine is used in the treatment of goitre.
iv) An isotope of phosphorus is used in the treatment of blood cancer.
9. Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.
A. The atomic number of Na = 11. So it has 11 electrons.
Distribution of electrons

K L M

Na 2 8 1
Na+ 2 8 -
 Thus, Na+ has completely filled K and L-shells because K and L shells has maximum
capacities of 2&8 electrons respectively.
10. If bromine atom is available in the form of, two isotopes (49.7%) and (50.3%).
Calculate the average atomic mass of Bromine atom.
 49.7 50.3 
A. The average atomic mass of Bromine atom =  79  + 81 
 100 100 
= 79 × 0.497 + 81 × 0.503
= 39.263 + 40.743
= 80.006U
11. The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2 U what are the
16 18
percentages of isotopes 8 X and 8 X in the sample ?
A. The average atomic mass of an element X = 16.2 U
Let the percentage of 16
8 X be “A”
18
Then the percentage of 8 X be = 100 – A
Then, we have
16 18
Average atomic mass =  A+  (100 − A) = 16.2
100 100
= 16A + 1800 – 18A = 16.2 × 100
1800 – 1620 = 2A
2A = 180
A = 90%
 16 18
8 X is 90% and 8 X is (100 – 90) = 10%.

12. If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element? Also, name the element.
A. Z = 3 i.e., no. of protons = 3 and no. of electrons = 3
The distribution of electrons The valence electrons present in this element = 1
i.e., this element has to lose one electron to attain stable electronic configuration (duplet
configuration) Valency of that element = 1 (Helium electronic configuration after
losing 1 e–) The name of the element is Lithium.
13. Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species X and Y are given as under.

Sub atomic particle X Y

Protons = 6 6
Neutrons = 6 8
Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the relation between the two species ?
A. Mass number = no. of protons + no. of neutrons
Mass number of X = 6 + 6 = 12U
Mass number of Y = 6 + 8 = 14U
Elements X, Y have same atomic numbers but differ in their mass numbers.
That means X, Y are Isotopes they are
14. For the following statements, write T for True and F for False.
 a) J. J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons – F
b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together.
Therefore, it is neutral – F.
1
c) The mass of an electron is about times that of proton – T
1837
d) An isotope of Iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a
medicine. – T
15. Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the
discovery of

a) Atomic Nucleus b) Electron c) Proton d) Neutron

A. a) b) × c) × d) ×
16. Isotopes of an element have
a) the same physical properties b) different chemical properties
c) different number of neutrons d) different atomic numbers
A. a) × b) × c) d) ×
17. The number of valence electrons in Cl– ion are:
a) 16 b) 8 c) 17 d) 18
A. a) × b) c) × d) ×
18. Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?
a) 2, 8 b) 8, 2, 1 c) 2, 1, 8 d) 2, 8, 1
A. d) 2, 8, 1
Distribution of electrons
Note: Na (Z = 11) K L M
2 8 1
19. Complete the following table.

Name of the
Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of
atomic
Number Number Neutrons Protons Electrons
Species
9 - 10 - - -
16 32 - - - Sulphur
- 24 - 12 - -
- 2 - 1 - -
- 1 0 1 - -
A.
Name of the
Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of
atomic
 Number Number Neutrons Protons Electrons Species
9 19 10 9 9 Fluorine
16 32 16 16 16 Sulphur
12 24 12 12 12 Magnesium
1 2 1 1 1 Deuterium
1 1 0 1 1 Hydrogen

1. What are canal rays?

A. Canal rays are positively charged particles. The mass of a canal ray particle is 2000
times as that of the electron. This particle is known as proton.

2. If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not?
A. An atom was composed of protons and electrons, mutually balancing their charges.
The magnitude of charge on an electron and a proton is same, the atom containing only
one electron and one proton will carry no charge (or) it is a neutral atom.
3. On the basis of Thomson’s model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a
whole?

A. Thomson proposed that “The negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude. So,
the atom as a whole is electrically neutral”.
4. On the basis of Rutherford’s model of an atom, which subatomic particle is
present in the nucleus of an atom?

A. Positively charged particle; proton is present in the nucleus of an atom.

5. Draw a sketch of Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells.

K=Shell (n = 1)

L=Shell (n = 2)

M=Shell (n = 3)

A.
6. What do you think would be the observation if the – particle scattering experiment
is carried out using a foil of a metal other than gold?
A. Rutherford selected a gold foil because he wanted a thin layer as possible. This gold
foil was about 1000 atoms thick, this property is known as malleability.
If the metal can be beaten into a foil as thin as the gold foil, similar results will be
obtained. But other metals are not so malleable and such a thin foil is difficult to
obtain and if you use a thick foil, more – particles will bounce back and no idea about
the location of positive mass in the atom would be available with such a certainty.
7. Name the three subatomic particles of an atom.
A. The three subatomic particles of an atom are
i) Electrons
 ii) Protons and
iii) Neutrons

8. Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4U and two protons in its nucleus. How many
neutrons does it have?
A. In Helium atom, Mass number = 4
No. of Protons = 2
then mass number = No. of protons + No. of neutrons
No. of neutrons = Mass number – No. of protons = 4 – 2 = 2
9. Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms.
A. Carbon atomic number = 6
that means
In carbon atom no. of electrons = 6
Distribution of electrons in carbon atom
K – Shell – 2 electrons K L
or
L – Shell – 4 electrons 2, 4
Sodium has atomic number = 11
That means it has = 11 electrons
Distribution of electrons in sodium atom
K – Shell – 2 electrons K L M
L – Shell – 8 electrons or
M – Shell – 1 electrons 2, 8, 1

10. If K and L shells of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of
electrons in the atom?
K = 1 Shell maximum Capacity = 2.n2 = 2.12 = 2
L = 2 Shell maximum Capacity = 2.n2 = 2.22 = 8
The total number of electrons in the atom are 10e
A.
11. How will you find the valency of Chlorine, Sulphur and Magnesium?
A.
distribution of electrons
Element
K L M
Chlorine (Z = 17) 2 8 7
Sulphur (Z = 16) 2 8 6
Magnesium (Z = 12) 2 8 2

Among these elements Chlorine, Sulphur are non-metals

  For non-metals, valency = 8 – no. of valence electrons
i.e., valency of Chlorine = 8 – 7 = 1
valency of Sulphur = 8 – 6 = 2
 For metals, valency = no. of valence electrons
i.e., valency of Magnesium(metal) = 2
12. If number of electrons in an atom is 8 and number of protons is also 8 then (i)
what is the atomic number of the atom? and (ii) What is the charge on the atom?
A. Atomic number of the atom = no. of protons in its nucleus (or) no. of electrons outside
the nucleus Atomic number of the atom = 8
In this atom total no. of positive charges is equal to total number of negative charges
i.e., and 8e– Therefore the charge on the atom is zero.
13. Find out the mass number of Oxygen and Sulphur atom with the help of below
Table
Element Symbol No. of Protons No. of Neutrons No. of electrons
Oxygen O 8 8 8
Sulphur S 16 16 16
A. For oxygen atom:
No. of protons =8
No. of neutrons = 8
then mass number of oxygens = No. of protons + No. of neutrons = 8 + 8 = 16 U
For sulphur atom:
No. of protons = 16
No. of neutrons = 16
Then the mass number of sulphurs = No. of protons + No. of Neutrons = 16 + 16 = 32
U
14. For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three subatomic particles found in each of
them.
A.
Hydrogen ( H)
1
1 Deuterium (D) 12 H Tritium (T) 13 H
1 1 1
1 1 1
0 1 2
Hint: Number of neutrons = Mass number – atomic number
15. Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.
A. One pair of isotopes are 12 14
6 C and 6 C .

 K L
They have same electronic configuration as 
 2, 4 
40 40
20 Ca and 18 Ar are isobars. They have different electronic configuration as given below.
 K L M N
40
18 Ar 2 8 8 2
40
18 Ar 2 8 8 -

Hint: The maximum number of electrons in any given shell = 2n2